'Colin hits finally NEXT-GEN'
 Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: Codemasters
Category: : Rally
Official Site
Multiplayer: 1-100 (Xbox Live / PC)
Platform: X-Box 360 / PC
Might look like: previous Colin ?
Date posted: 21 September 2007
Written By: Ian
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Lets get DiRTy!
Yes, someone at 'Codemasters' really can't use a keyboard, as "Colin McRae DiRT" is one of those 'cool' games that matters where you use capitals. This normally would get me in bad mood to start reviewing, but as soon as you whack the latest Colin McRae game in the disk drive you'll have a huge smile plastered across your face!
DiRTY Gameplay
The driving model in DiRT is far more arcadey than in previous incarnations of the series, and this may put off purists, because once you get skilled at the game, you can just let off the accelerator, turn, then reapply to slide effortlessly round bends almost 'Ridge Racer style'.
However, its not that easy, and the game features the best damage modelling yet in any rallying game.
You can rip off wheels, huge amounts of bodywork, and you can also have spectacular crashes, flipping your car several times before coming to a halt in some trees, probably limping out of the rally. This is where the game becomes more difficult- whilst turning is easier than ever, the AI is pretty good, even at the default level, and once you turn it up even one level (there are three above the default in total), the AI gets really aggressive.
This means that careful driving becomes a must on the rallying stages, as whilst you can still win if you damage your car, you waste time in the repair centres, and these can only fix so much damage.
Eventually, your car will start to noticeably slow after a series of minor accidents, and then the whole rally will slip away.
  
In head-to-head races, the AI will cut you up, attempt to spin you off the track, and engage in some real paint-scraping action to make it all the more difficult.
Each race becomes a really intense experience as you sweat it out to the finish line.
However for the 360 version, some of the achievements suck a bit- you need to drive 1000 miles in career mode, which sounds easy, but remember, you're speeds are much lower in a rally game, so you only go about 450 miles in the entire career mode, so you need to play the career through more than twice to unlock the stupid achievement !Boooo.
DiRTY Graphics and Sound
In both versions, 360 and PC, the graphics in DiRT are simply stunning.
Everything from the HDR to the vehicles themselves looks amazing, and the game is by far the best-looking racing game ever produced. Period.
Half the time you'll find yourself racing around with a small pile of dribble around your chair- its THAT good!
However, particularly in races where there are multiple competitors, the frame rate can bog down but never to slide-show levels on the 360 version and for PC, it all depends on what system you have, but it is noticeable. The environments look stunning as they whiz by, and there is also an excellent sense of speed, despite the 30fps the game runs at.
The game also sounds great, with authentic engine noises, and bassy exhaust notes, although there is not much in the way of music.
  
DiRTY Multiplayer- hello?
Multiplayer in "Colin McRae DiRT" really isn't multiplayer.
Yes, it can support '100 players' but this is basically a lie. You all go in a lobby, and you can't even talk with each other. Even if you join a party of friends.
You can send them pre-set text messages though! Great. Not.
In the race, you never see anyone, and the times of others can be pretty laggy; several times I 'won' a race only to be told afterwards that actually I didn't. This would be almost acceptable as rally games are suited to time trials if other modes with competitive head-to-head races were included, but no.
Codemasters has also said bluntly that it doesn't intend to support the game post-release either with cars, tracks or a patch to enable better multiplayer. This still can change in the future but if it doesn't it's a poor show.
DiRTY Conclusion ?
"Colin McRae Dirt" for Xbox 360 and PC is nearly a Forza beater, only falling at the last hurdle.
It has gorgeous graphics, a fun arcade-simulation balance, lots of different types of races, good sound and good AI. Then you get the annoying Americanisation, the poor online play and some framerate issues. If these were sorted, then it would be an amazing game.
As it stands, it's just a very, very good rally game! If you have the time or inclination, this is well worth playing and good value for your money.
-Ian
Ratings
Manual:
86 % |
Graphics:
93% |
Music & Sfx:
89% |
GamePlay:
86% |
|
This game scores
on our 5-point Rating System
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